'DUP must agree to devolution'

The Reverend Ian Paisley can advance the issue of policing in Northern Ireland if he gives a clear signal that there will be power sharing in the Province, Sinn Fein MP Martin McGuinness has stressed.

As parties took part in a hectic round of meetings with Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Mr McGuinness emerged from the talks insisting Sinn Fein could not move on policing without the DUP agreeing to form a devolved government featuring Sinn Fein.

"I think that there is no doubt that a majority of unionists and loyalists want to see their leaders working in partnership with ourselves and the SDLP for a better future for the children," the Mid Ulster MP said.

"I certainly think that a deal can be done but I would like to hear Ian Paisley say that he is ready to go into Government with the Sinn Fein leadership.

"I would like to hear Ian Paisley face up to the reality for example that the issue of policing has as much to do with him as it has to do with the Sinn Fein leadership.

"The transfer of (policing and justice) powers (from Westminster to a future Stormont government) is of critical importance."

Earlier Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the parties that they had to strike a deal by the British and Irish Governments deadline of November 24 for a breakthrough.

Mr Blair, in particular, insisted this would be the last intensive talks process and it was time for a decision.

Mr Blair's official spokesperson said it was clear from the opening session of the talks in the luxury five star Fairmont Hotel's Robert Louis Stevenson room that the parties realised the need to resolve the issues of policing and the commitment by all to share power at Stormont.

Mr McGuinness said he could not ask republicans to sign up to policing without the transfer of powers. "As things stand at the moment I see the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) as a British controlled policing organisation," he said.